Glamorous and chic SEXY CRAB opens today, promising a “heavenly gourmet journey” raising esteem of the local seafood favourite from traditional to extraordinary at global lifestyle destination K11 MUSEA in Tsim Sha Tsui East.
While iconic autumn season hairy crab has long ‘crabtivated’ Hong Kong menus, SEXY CRAB elevates the beloved crustacean to new gastronomic artisanal heights – gloriously showcasing the delicacy as the star of richly-flavoured broths with exquisite, flavoursome handcrafted noodles.
With a chic twist on crab tradition, the new dining destination is also dressed to impress – in an exclusive, intimate, retro vintage, 23-seat, 530 sq.ft. haven of dark mahogany décor and open kitchen, complete with grandiose mirrors reflecting whimsical neon lighting and a classic 1930s Shanghai-style ‘Long Bar’.
The crab stars are equally classy; handpicked for seasonality and premium quality. During the current hairy crab season only premium Jiangsu specimens over 150g are chosen, explaining the Chinese brand name which translates to “Above 3 Taels”. Skilled artisans also de-shell the notoriously fiddly roe and crabmeat, while signature noodles are handmade daily by specialist craftsmen – in various styles and sizes optimising flavour of differing dishes.
Artistically-presented creative designer dishes complete a ‘crabulously’ indulgent dining experience so passionate that a ‘golden’ ratio of crab meat, crab roe and crab oil is precisely measured for each dish, along with a perfect proportion of female and male roe for ultimate umami.
Among classic signatures, ‘Sexy Crab’ (HK$368) embraces the best of 12 crabs as a DIY dining experience for guests to marry portions and condiments as they please, served with five elegant plates of decadently rich, creamy chicken-crab broth, crab leg, roe, crab oil and a delicate teapot of soy sauce. Topped with crab roe, proportions are precisely 50/50 crab meat and crab oil, with 42%/58% ratio of female and male roe.
‘50-50’ (HK$188) is named after a 50-50 perfect blend of hairy crab meat and roe in a secret broth of several fish varieties gently simmered for 8-10 hours, served with healthy, silky handmade air-dried noodles, topped by grilled baby yellow croaker and scallions, with a beautifully complementing dip of shiso tempura and crab roe sauce – a magical marriage of rich broth and umami of 20% crab meat, 50% male roe and 30% female roe.
For outrageous decadence, ‘Pillow Talk’ (HK$888) is ultra-luxury whole South African fish maw stuffed with crab roe, topped with renowned French caviar brand Caviar House’s luxurious Qiandao premium caviar on crab roe noodles. The deluxe gastronomic pairing of fish maw with 20% crab meat, 50% male roe and 30% female roe is extravagantly enhanced to mystical heights. For such a work of pure, handcrafted culinary art, only five pre-eminently instaworthy portions are available daily.
Delightful appetisers and snacks include ‘Packing Meat’ (HK$158) wonton stuffed with hairy crab roe and yellow croaker in Jinhua ham and fish broth with shrimp head paste broth. ‘It’s Getting Steamy in Here’ (HK$78) is eye-catchingly instagrammable, with smoked half-boiled egg paired with luxurious caviar and crab oil. ‘Drunk on the Rocks’ (HK$128) is a ‘drunken’ seafood platter with boiled South African abalone, crab roe and seasonal seafood marinated in Huadiao wine.
In keeping with tradition of drinking fresh ginger tea to warmly balance the ‘cooling’ effect of crab, SEXY CRAB has also curated its own unique menu of ginger-inspired drinks. Sexy Enough (HK$78) is a stellar cocktail of vodka and Cointreau with ginger, cranberry and lime juice on ice, garnished with ginger and lime. Lipstick Stain (HK$68) is the classic crab companion of Da Hong Pao ginger tea, Ginger Fling (HK$58) is ginger-flavoured apple cider vinegar soda, and It’s a Date (HK$58) is red date and wolfberry tea.
Signature dessert Shake the Bed (HK$88) completes the exclusive theme on a ginger note, with ultra-nourishing bird’s nest, paired with housemade ginger gelato and ginger jelly.
As SEXY CRAB declares: ‘Traditional crab roe noodles are served in an unconventional way that will excite both amateur foodies and seasoned gourmands – promising a mischievous and sensual extraordinary crab noodle experience. Guests are invited to slurp loudly and indulge unapologetically in appreciation of a comfort food favourite presented in style.’
SEXY CRAB seats 23 in a 530 sq ft. venue at Shop 401A, 4/F, K11 MUSEA, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Hong Kong.
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